\nthe cute show : a manifesto<\/p>\n
the premise of this exhibition is to validate the word cute when it is given by a viewer in effort to express their feelings for a certain piece of artwork.<\/p>\n
cute is a whimsical land where the precious and the adorable live free from stress and seriousness.<\/p>\n
if art is the battle between content and intent, cute must demand that content take precedence over intent.<\/p>\n
choices of subject, color and scale become infinitely important, while meaning tends to take second stage.<\/p>\n
a good number of artists see the term cute as belittling, rather than congratulatory, thus diminishing the integrity of their artwork.<\/p>\n
the cute show is the decision that cute is more often a compliment, rather than a complaint, to be held with high regard.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Here is an example of the work I am contributing, they are large format (36″ x 36″) ink jet prints, generously donated by Sam Spratlin:<\/p>\n
![\"null\"](\"https:\/\/lh5.googleusercontent.com\/-hH57yurZDCI\/UkM_IOjXAVI\/AAAAAAAACmM\/xMy9nnvWSok\/s626-no\/cuteshow.gif\")
<\/p>\n
I may also participate in a museum staff show. Also no dues to be paid \u2014 work at the museum, get in the show.<\/p>\n
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Speaking of Sam, we have started a little tradition up here in Chicago. Every Wednesday he cooks dinner, I bring some booze and we watch Dawson’s creek. Usually his roommates and Kate E Burke attend as well. Good times.<\/p>\n
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So this dude comes into the museum the other day, and we barely have a conversation. Basically he asked me if I am an artist, and immediately gave me his name and address so I could send him a postcard for the cute show. Also I should mention he is about 45 and has an earring. “He’s hip, he’s cool, he’s 45.” He also asked me to give him my name, so I do, along with my e-mail address. This takes place around 4:30. By 7:30 he has completely looked through my site and sends me this e-mail (edited):<\/p>\n
Hey Matt,
\nIt was nice to chat with you at the MCA today… I found the info on your web site and I am actually coming back from three weeks in LA that Saturday (I got this fellowship from the Getty Trust for them to try to persuade arts journalists that LA is a real place . . . ) and that opening could be a fun re-entry to terra firma… Your site is very clean looking and has some cool stuff on it… best, Andrew P.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\nI reply , and he does again with a bunch more name dropping. Mostly stuff about his boyfriend, and other friends of his, and their boyfriends. Some of these people sound like good contacts, so I am going to follow through with them. I just hope I don’t get involved in some weird gay cult.<\/p>\n
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Saw Old School Friday night. There is nothing wrong with that movie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Welcome to the inaugural edition of my weekly news column. First the general info: I am enjoying Chicago, it is bitterly cold and windy, but every once in a while I stumble on something cool and remember the benefits in living in big city. Still working at the Museum of Contemporary Art. I have put … Continue reading Welcome<\/span>